Alexander Zverev booked his place in the Australian Open second round with a straight-sets victory over Lucas Pouille.
The second seed prevailed 6-4 6-4 6-4 after two hours and 21 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
A two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2020 and 2024, Zverev is aiming to go the extra couple of steps this time around, and finally get his hands on that maiden career slam.
The two-time major runner-up made a statement of intent by breaking the French wildcard in game five on his way to taking the opening set.
He then broke in the opening game of the second and game eight of the third, while holding his own serve to prevail a commanding winner.
Zverev advances to the second round, where he will play Pedro Martinez of Spain.
That'll do it for @AlexZverev!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025
Our No.2 seed makes his way into the second round, defeating Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4 @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Qj5SG33yVd
Data Debrief: Zverev closes in on Becker
Not since his main-draw debut in 2016 had Zverev suffered a first-round defeat at the Australian Open, and a premature exit seemed highly unlikely today.
The second seed produced a typically powerful display with 18 aces to his opponent's three, while registering just two double-faults.
Zverev eased to his 26th men's singles match win at the Australian Open, equalling Tommy Haas (26) for the second-most of any German at the event in the Open Era, behind only Boris Becker (29).
